We make beautiful buildings that are simple and modest, and we aspire to the Japanese sensibility of wabi sabi, a quality of relaxed restraint and quiet beauty. This often means simplifying and paring back to find the essence of a problem or the core of an architectural idea, creating spaces which enrich people’s lives.

Pure, ordinary and beautiful simplicity is only achieved through a complexity of thought and design. We focus on movement and function; light and the position of the sun; materials and the way they make us feel; the connections between inside and out. We delight in construction detail, and we love practical, natural and sustainable materials.

Our first project was our own self-built house where we acted as architect, client and builder. This was an invaluable experience – to add to our 25 years in the profession – and taught us how it feels to be the client. Henceforth we haven’t taken the budget lightly or for granted, and we live the project alongside our clients.

We positively enjoy grappling with new ideas and difficult problems, and we’re always keen to work with clients who challenge us. We started our practice by working on small projects, exhibitions, new houses and extensions; but as the practice grows, so our work is also growing in scale and ambition.

One thing hasn’t changed: whatever the project and whatever the scale, we work with enthusiasm, purpose and commitment to create buildings which people respond to instinctively, feel at home in, and enjoy.